IB has created a new assessment this year that is MUCH easier than their previous assessment (which was a presentation).

In this “Exhibition,” which is done individually, each student has to choose from  one of thirty-five “knowledge questions” to answer.  Then, you have to choose three “objects” that help them answer the knowledge question prompt.

You then write about how each object helps you answer the question.  The total word count (including your mini-essays on all three objects) can’t be more than 950 words.  References do not count against those 950 words.

This is how one TOK teacher explained it to me:

So to answer the question of what is an object – anything that has a real-world context, that exists in a particular time or space. It is good if it has some personal meaning to the candidate but it does not have to have. So it can be an everyday object, a piece of art (including visual arts or performing arts but it needs to be very specific, a book, a graphic novel, a poem), it can be a digital object so a tweet, a news article, a speech, etc.

The only guidance is – it needs to have a real-world context and it cannot be random (a photo that was taken from the internet) – other than that if the student can describe the real-world context, it is an object.

So, it can’t be a picture of any basketball.  It can be a picture of the basketball you played with at home or that Kobe Bryant used to win a championship.

Here are some examples of a TOK Exhibition:

Exhibition A This was given a medium grade by IB

Exhibition B This was given a high grade by IB

Exhibition C This was given a high grade by IB

Exhibition D This was given a low grade by IB because the writer did not make connections between the objects and the prompt.

Exhibition E This is an example of just one object and mini-essay created by a TOK teacher

Exhibition F  This is a three object example created by a TOK teacher

 

Students will be creating “Exhibitions” throughout the year that will function as exams.  They will help prepare you for the final three object Exhibition at the end of the year.

Though you will have to do the final Exhibition on your own, during the year you will have the option to work alone, work with one other person, or work with two other people on these “practice” Exhibitions.

Though they are “practice” Exhibitions, and won’t be sent to IB (only the final one you do on your own will be sent to them), they will be major grades in this class.

 

This is the process we will use when doing “Exhibitions”:

The first time we do this process, we will do jigsaw presentations on this article:

An article from the Smithsonian Institution suggests different ways to think about artifacts. They include the following (this came from The Global Oneness Project): 

• Artifacts tell their own stories. 
• Artifacts connect people. 
• Artifacts capture moments. 
• Artifacts reflect changes.

Also, during the first time we do this, we’ll explore The Best Resources For Using “Object Lessons” In History.

DAY ONE:

Review two example exhibitions with a partner and score it against the rubric (make sure that you are reviewing different ones the second and third time you do this).

What are two things you have learned from reviewing it that you think would help you make your exhibition.

Each of you will share in a break out group your rubric scores and your “two things.” See if you can come up with an agreed score. Identify one spokesperson from the group to report to the class your conclusions.

 

DAY TWO:

Review the different ways of choosing a focus of your Exhibition:

1. Choose Theme, choose objects, choose prompt

2. Choose theme, choose prompt, choose objects

3. Choose prompt, Choose Theme, choose objects

4. Choose objects, Choose prompt, choose theme

Decide on at least prompt and theme by end of the day and submit

 

DAY THREE:

Students review the description of objects from the Guide, come up with questions about them to share.

Brainstorm objects – come up with a list of at least eight different objects that fit into the Guide’s description

DAY FOUR:

Write in one sentence how each of the eight objects would connect to the prompt and theme

Choose the three strongest/most interesting ones

Divide up who will write about which object and homework is to write a rough draft

 

DAY FIVE

Partners share their rough drafts and revise

Design a two-to-three minute presentation about their exhibition

DAY SIX

Finalize their presentation

DAY SEVEN

Presentations in breakout groups

Self-Reflection

Use this form to plan your “What If?” History project.

Create a short PowerPoint presentation and upload it to Authorstream. Post the link to your slideshare presentation in the comments section of this post.

Here’s is the outline for the PowerPoint presentation

Your presentation to the class must be five minutes or less..

Example One

Example Two

See more examples here.

Go here if you can’t see the show below:

Go here if you can’t see the show below:

Find all the information related to the 2019 Oral Presentations here.

DECEMBER:

• Knowledge Questions
• Math p. 312-340 (homework due 12/5)
• The Arts p.441- 469 (homework due 12/12)
• History p. 417-439 (homework due  12/19)

JANUARY:

• Ethics p. 470-509 (homework due 1/9)
• Natural Sciences p. 341-373 (homework due 1/16)
• Human Sciences p. 374- 416 (homework due 1/23)
• Religious Knowledge Systems p. 510- 538 (homework due 1/30)

FEBRUARY

• Indigenous Knowledge Systems – Cultural perspectives p. 539-568 (no required homework, but extra credit if completed by 2/6)
• TOK Presentation Planning – Decide on topic by February 13th. Assuming we can get access to the computer lab or laptops, you will have four class periods each week to work on it for four weeks. Your written draft plan will be due on March 1st.

MARCH

• Prepare Presentation in March
• You will make your presentation in late March. Presentations will be video-recorded

APRIL:

• First three weeks of April are kept available in case we are running behind. If not, we’ll do some special projects prior to starting the essay.
• Begin work on TOK Essay in late April

MAY/JUNE:

• Work on Essay
• Essay due on June 3rd
• Final group project due on day of the Final

 

Here are the two final projects by IB Theory of Knowledge classes due at the end of the school year:

 

Instagram Videos

Students must create three short (45-to-one minute each) videos (or one longer one) communicating the meaning of three important TOK concepts.

You can see examples here.

I think Instagram is the easiest tool to use, especially since they have now extended the length of videos to one-minute. However, they are welcome to use other tools.

Students can work alone or with one other classmate.

We will begin work on the videos on Monday, May 21st.  Because of the San Francisco field trip, the videos won’t be due until 8:00 AM on Tuesday, May 29th.

 

Explain Like I’m Five

Students – on their own or with one other classmate – prepare and teach a four-to-five minute lesson on one or more TOK concepts.

The key, though, is that they have to pretend that they are teaching to five-year-olds.

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough” is often attributed incorrectly to Albert Einstein, though he did say something similar.

That notion has a lot in common with The Feynman Technique.

First, students read, annotate and discuss a chapter from one of my books (Here’s My Chapter On Elements Of A Successful Lesson, Along With Student Hand-Outs THEY Use To Teach).

Then, we watch Explain Like I’m Five videos.

Then students use the planning form that accompanies my chapter on elements of a successful lesson to plan the lesson (that form is actually used by them for longer lessons during the year, but they adapt it for this one).

Then, they teach it to the class.

We will begin work on the lesson on Wednesday,  May 30th.   The lessons will be taught on June 7th and 8th.

 

FINAL

You can receive extra credit for your Final by creating an infographic explaining the Theory of Knowledge class. You can see an example here. You can use any tool you want, including pen and paper. Free online tools include Visme, Piktochart, Venngage, Infogram or Easelly.

You will have the entire two-hour “Final” time to create this infographic, or you may begin working on it earlier.

Before you create your infographic online and leave the link to it in the comments section of this post:

First, review The Ultimate Infographic Design Guide: 13 Tricks For Better Designs and Infographics For Beginners: The Ultimate Guide.

Then, design a rough draft on paper.

Lastly, go to one of the sites and create your infographic.

As I have explained, I write a teacher advice column for educators.

This week’s questions is “What has been your best moment in a classroom?”

I thought it would be interesting to get student responses, too.

Please write about your own best experience in a paragraph or two in the comments section. It might be best to write it in Google Doc first and then copy and past it here.

Say:

When and where it happened, though don’t use names (say in elementary school, in high school, in Sacramento, or elsewhere, say the grade)

What happened

How you felt then and how you feel now about it

What made it so good

What can teachers and other students learn from the experience?

 

Over the weekend, I will select several passages for publication, and will give those authors permission slips needing to be signed by parents.  There will be no problem, however, if you or your parents decide that you do not want your work published.

Theory Of Knowledge Schedule 2017-18

Mr. Ferlazzo’s Email Address: mrferlazzo@aol.com

Class blog: https://theoryofknowledge.edublogs.org/

Homework:

* The homework schedule can be found on the next page.  You are expected to read each chapter and complete the same assignment for each one (see homework example sheet) by the due date.  Homework is always due on a Monday.

This homework should be completed by the beginning of the second semester.  At that time, we’ll focus on our two major projects – a group Oral Presentation and an Essay.  Those two projects will make-up ninety-percent of your second semester grade.

* Group (Two people) or Individual TOK Presentation – It will be videotaped. Substantial time in class will be provided to prepare, but outside time will also be needed.  Your grade on this group presentation will be one of the two primary components of your official grade from IB.  You may make presentations on two different topics .  The one with the higher grade will count.

* TOK Essay – At least one essay where substantial time in class will be provided (assuming we can get access to computer lab), but outside time will also be needed.

* If you are an IB Diploma candidate or are seeking an IB TOK Certificate, you will also have to write a TOK essay in the fall of 2018 during your senior year that will be submitted to IB and will comprise the second component of your official IB grade (the Group Presentation will be the other portion).

 

Class work:

* You will keep a well-organized folder divided by WOK & AOK.  The syllabus, warm-ups, returned homework, and some hand-outs should be kept there.  It will be checked monthly by Mr. Ferlazzo.

* You’ll be getting packets for each Way of Knowing and each Area of Knowledge we study.  They will stay in the room and be shared among classes.  Please don’t write in them.

* There will be some assignments each week related to the packet and, with few exceptions, there will be plenty of time in class to do them, including warm-ups.   You’ll keep what you’ve written until each Friday, when I’ll collect them.  If you are not here one day, check with a classmate to see what you missed so you can catch-up.  You’ll staple them in chronological order – so, each day, when you start with your warm-up, you’ll write the day of the week and date.  You don’t have to use separate sheets for each day – just start the next day where the last day left off.

* We’ll try it out and if it doesn’t work well, we’ll change it

CALENDAR

This schedule is subject to change in consultation with the class.  The order of the assignments will not change.  There will be some days when you need to bring your book to class.  If you keep it in class, however, Mr. Ferlazzo is not responsible for it.

SEPTEMBER:

• Introduction to TOK
• The Problem and Nature Of Knowledge, p. 3-39 — two chapters (homework due 9/18)
• Allegory of the Cave
• Personal and Shared Knowledge, p. 40-76 (homework due 9/25)

OCTOBER:

• Sense Perception p. 115 -139 (homework due 10/2)
• Language p. 77-114 (homework due 10/9)
• Reason and Logic 140-170 (homework due 10/16)
• Emotions p. 171-196 (homework due 10/23)
• Imagination, Faith, Intuition & Memory p. 197-311 class will be divided into four groups, with students in each group taking responsibility to read, do homework and present on ONE chapter (homework due 10/30) EXTRA CREDIT IF YOU DO HOMEWORK FOR MORE THAN YOUR ASSIGNED CHAPTER

NOVEMBER:

• Knowledge Questions
• Math p. 312-340 (homework due 11/6)
• The Arts p.441- 469 (homework due 11/13)
• History p. 417-439 (homework due  11/27)

DECEMBER:

• Ethics p. 470-509 (homework due 12/11)
• Natural Sciences p. 341-373 (homework due December 12/18)

JANUARY:

• Human Sciences p. 374- 416 (homework due 1/15)
• Religious Knowledge Systems p. 510- 538 (homework due 1/22)
• Indigenous Knowledge Systems – Cultural perspectives p. 539-568 (no required homework, but extra credit if completed by 1/29)

FEBRUARY

• TOK Presentation Planning – Decide on topic by February 9th. Assuming we can get access to the computer lab or laptops, you will have four class periods each week to work on it for four weeks. Your written draft plan will be due on February 23rd.

MARCH

• Prepare Presentation in March
• You will make your presentation in late March. Presentations will be video-recorded

APRIL:

• First three weeks of April are kept available in case we are running behind. If not, we’ll do some special projects prior to starting the essay.
• Begin work on TOK Essay in late April

MAY/JUNE

• Work on Essay
• Essay due on June 4th
• Final group project due on day of the Final

 

 

 

 

Tok from Larry Ferlazzo on Vimeo.

Ethics Homework – due Feb. 21^st

Natural Sciences Homework – due Feb. 28^th

Human Sciences Homework – due March 7^th

Religion Homework – due March 14^th

Begin Oral Presentation Project – March 20^th until May 1^st

Begin Essay – May 2^nd

Essay Due – June 5^th

Begin Final Project – June 6^th

Final Project presentations due day of the final

Here are the TOK essay prompts for May, 2017:

1. “It is only knowledge produced with difficulty that we truly value.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

2. “Facts are needed to establish theories but theories are needed to make sense of facts.” Discuss this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.

3. Should key events in the historical development of areas of knowledge always be judged by the standards of their time?

4. “In the production of knowledge, traditions of areas of knowledge offer correctives for ways of knowing.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

5. Given access to the same facts, how is it possible that there can be disagreement between experts in a discipline? Develop your answer with reference to two areas of knowledge.

6. “Humans are pattern seeking animals and we are adept at finding patterns whether they exist or not” (adapted from Michael Shermer). Discuss knowledge questions raised by this idea in two areas of knowledge.

Your essay should be between 1,200 and 1,600 words. It must be double-spaced and typed in size 12 font. It must have the essay prompt at the top.

You must complete this: Essay Planning Document

Here is the outline Mr. Ferlazzo’s students have used for their essay: Essay outline

Here is the TOK Essay Rubric from IB

You can find all the TOK essay resources we used last year here.

Four key points that IB Examiners made in essays from last year were:

* Don’t use hypothetical examples. In other words, when you support your thesis with stories related to different Ways of Knowing and Areas of Knowledge, make sure they are real. Don’t say something like, “Suppose this was the case and that happened.”

* Make sure that ALL of your examples and points are explicitly connected to answering the prompt. End every example or point making that explicit connection.

* Make sure that you include counter-claims in your essay. In other words, what would people say who disagreed with your thesis and what would be your response to them?  These should have a source. In other words, don’t just write “Some people might say…”

* You can use TOK concepts from the book, but don’t use specific examples cited there to illustrate them. Instead, come up with your own examples.  It’s okay to use some personal examples, but a majority should be more “academic” ones.

Theory Of Knowledge Schedule 2016-17

Mr. Ferlazzo’s Email Address: mrferlazzo@aol.com

Class blog: https://theoryofknowledge.edublogs.org/

Homework:

* The homework schedule can be found on the next page.  You are expected to read each chapter and complete the same assignment for each one (see homework example sheet) by the due date.  Homework is always due on a Monday.

This homework should be completed by the beginning of the second semester.  At that time, we’ll focus on our two major projects – a group Oral Presentation and an Essay.  Those two projects will make-up ninety-percent of your second semester grade.

* Group TOK Presentation – It will be videotaped. Substantial time in class will be provided to prepare, but outside time will also be needed.  Your grade on this group presentation will be one of the two primary components of your official grade from IB.  You may make two group presentations on two different topics .  The one with the higher grade will count.

* TOK Essay – At least one essay where substantial time in class will be provided (assuming we can get access to computer lab), but outside time will also be needed.

* If you are an IB Diploma candidate or are seeking an IB TOK Certificate, you will also have to write a TOK essay in the fall of 2017 during your senior year that will be submitted to IB and will comprise the second component of your official IB grade (the Group Presentation will be the other portion).

 

Class work:

* You will keep a well-organized folder in the class “box.”

* You will each have a green binder in the box in the back with your name.

* You’ll have a manila folder to go into the green binder

* You’ll be getting packets from each for each Way of Knowing and each Area of Knowledge we study.  We’ll be using them in class, so you want to make sure you keep them here.  If you want to keep them with you and are responsible, that’s fine. I will not be happy if you don’t have it or lose it.

* You can leave the older packets in the green binder once we have finished that unit and keep the packet we’re using in your manila folder.  You’ll need the older ones for your major projects during second semester. You’ll get them when you come in, and you need to be seated before the bell rings.  You put them back in when you leave – unless someone wants to volunteer to collect them at the end of each class. Don’t take the green folders, they’ll stay in the same place in alphabetical order.

* There will be some assignments each week related to the packet and, with few exceptions, there will be plenty of time in class to do them, including warm-ups.   You’ll keep what you’ve written until each Friday, when I’ll collect them.  If you are not here one day, check with a classmate to see what you missed so you can catch-up.  You’ll staple them in chronological order – so, each day, when you start with your warm-up, you’ll write the day of the week and date.  You don’t have to use separate sheets for each day – just start the next day where the last day left off.

* I’m trying to make things easier for you  so you don’t have to bring in your textbooks all the time, don’t have much to carry, and it’s clear what assignments are due in case you miss a class.  Also, by collecting everything just on Friday, it’s easier for me to handle the marking.

* We’ll try it out and if it doesn’t work well, we’ll change it

 

CALENDAR

This schedule is subject to change in consultation with the class.  The order of the assignments will not change.

SEPTEMBER:

• Introduction to TOK
• The Problem and Nature Of Knowledge, p. 3-40 — two chapters (homework due 9/19)
• Allegory of the Cave
• Perception p. 88 -105 (homework due 9/26)

 

OCTOBER

• Language p. 47-79 (homework due October 3rd)
• Reason and Logic 111-141 (homework due Oct. 10th)
• Emotions p. 145-169 (homework due Oct. 17^th)
• Imagination, Faith, Intuition & Memory (no homework)
• Knowledge Questions

 

NOVEMBER:

• Math p. 187-213 (homework due October 31st)
• The Arts p.328- 356 (homework due Nov. 7th)
• History p. 300-322 (homework due Nov. 28^th)

 

DECEMBER:

• Ethics p. 363-396 (homework due Dec. 5th)
• Natural Sciences p. 220-250 (homework due December 12th)
• Human Sciences p. 256-288 (homework due December 19th)

 

JANUARY:

• Religious Knowledge Systems p. 403- 431 (homework due January 17th)
• Indigenous Knowledge Systems (no homework)
• TOK Presentation Planning – Decide on topic and group by February 1st. Assuming we can get access to the computer lab or laptops, you will have four class periods each week to work on it for four weeks. Your written draft plan will be due on February 17th.

.

FEBRUARY/MARCH

• Work Presentation in February
• You will make your presentation in early March. Presentations will be video-recorded
• The class will decide if it wants to move immediately into preparation for the second Presentation or if it wants to spend the first two weeks of March “teaching lessons.”

For teaching lessons, small groups will pick from a wide choice of materials for each Way of Knowing and Area of Knowledge.  Each week, groups will prepare short lessons on the material they chose to present to a small group.  You will be provided a guideline, and creativity will be encouraged.  You will have one class period to chose and  prepare; there will be one-to-two class periods to present.

 

MARCH/APRIL:

• First two weeks of student-created lessons or immediately begin preparing second presentations.
• Begin work on TOK Essay in late April

 

MAY:

• Work on Essay
• Essay due on May 30th
• Final group project due on June 9th

 

 

 

 

You will have four class periods to complete these final projects. On Monday, June 6th, we will not have access to computers.  On that Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, we will have the MacBook carts.

All can be done alone or with one other person.

They will all be due the day of our Finals, except for the Instagram videos, which must be either texted or emailed to Mr. Ferlazzo prior to the Monday of finals week.

Instagram Videos

You must create three short videos (or one longer one) communicating the meaning of three important TOK concepts.

You can see examples here.

I think Instagram is the easiest tool to use, especially since they have now extended the length of videos to one-minute. However, you are welcome to use other tools.

You must do two of these next three projects – alone or in pairs:

Explain It To A Five Year Old

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough” is often attributed incorrectly to Albert Einstein, though he did say something similar. You are going to apply this quotation in class. You will choose one concept from five different Ways of Knowing and explain it to five year-old. Reddit has a series of videos called “Explain It Like I’m Five,” which provide good examples. Your presentation must not last more than four minutes or be less than three minutes.  You will be videotaped.

You may perform in class, create a video, make animations using one of these easy tools; create comic strips using these tools; make a PowerPoint to go along with a presentation; use this Google Docs story tool, or do something else (that has to be approved by Mr. Ferlazzo).

What If History Project

One option is a modified version of the “What If?” history project we did earlier in the year. For this project, however, you must respond to this question (taken from Science Magazine):

You can travel back in time to share one piece of scientific knowledge from today. Where do you go? Describe the date and place you choose, the information you share, and how it might change the course of history. (Assume that the people you visit will understand and believe you!)

Make a slideshow similar to one you made in the earlier project, and lay-out the different ways history might be changed. Use the same format. You may do this project alone or in pairs.

TOK As A List

Another option is “The Ways Of Knowing & Areas Of Knowledge As A List.” For that project, create a poster or slideshow sharing what you think are the six most important words for at least five of the WOK’s and five of the AOK’s. In addition to listing the words, you need to define them and explain why you believe each one deserves to be one of the six most important words to understand the topic. You also have to illustrate the one word you think is most important in each WOK and AOK and explain why you think it’s the most important. You may do this project alone or in pairs. Here’s an example of a similar project.

 

 

Theory Of Knowledge Modified Schedule 2016

Mr. Ferlazzo’s Email Address: mrferlazzo@aol.com

Homework:

* You must have a binder that is kept up to date and divided into the different Ways of Knowing and Areas of Knowledge. You should keep separate “Warm-Up” sheets for each of them, too.   I will periodically check binders.

* Here is how we will handle assigned homework reading, which is always due on a Monday:

Read assigned chapters. For each one, write:

1)what you think are the three most important points and why you think they are important (two sentences for each one is sufficient),

2)two short key quotes and at least a sentence explaining why you chose each one, and two questions you have.

3)In addition, you must choose one “linking question” at the end of each chapter and write an “ABC” paragraph responding to it. “A” means answer the question; “B” means back it up with at least one piece of evidence from the chapter; “C” means make a comment/connection — share an informed opinion based on what you learned from the chapter and connect it to something else you know from something you read or experienced.

Homework will be shared in class. You will work with a small group of others who have read the chapter and have twenty minutes in class to prepare a five minute presentation teaching the chapter to the class. Most of this will be done by March, and then the focus during the second semester will be the group presentation and essay.

* Occasional assignments on TOK Class Blog (https://theoryofknowledge.edublogs.org/)

* Group TOK Presentation – It will be videotaped. Substantial time in class will be provided to prepare, but outside time will also be needed. Your grade on this group presentation will be one of the two primary components of your official grade from IB. You may make two group presentations on two different topics . The one with the higher grade will count.

* TOK Essay – At least one essay where substantial time in class will be provided (assuming we can get access to computer lab), but outside time will also be needed.

* If you are an IB Diploma candidate or are seeking an IB TOK Certificate, you will also have to write a TOK essay in the fall of 2016 during your senior year that will be submitted to IB and will comprise the second component of your official IB grade (the Group Presentation will be the other portion).

CALENDAR

This schedule is subject to change in consultation with the class.

JANUARY

• History p. 300-322 (homework due Jan. 4^th)
• Ethics p. 363-396 (homework due Jan. 11th)
• Natural Sciences p. 220-250 (homework due Jan. 19th)

FEBRUARY

• Human Sciences p. 256-288 (homework due February 1st)
• Religious Knowledge Systems p. 403- 431 (homework due February 8th)
• Indigenous Knowledge Systems (no homework)
• TOK Presentation Planning – Decide on topic and group by February 22nd. Assuming we can get access to the computer lab or laptops, you will have four class periods each week to work on it for four weeks. Your written plan will be due on March 7th.

MARCH

• You will make your presentation in late-March. Presentations will be video-recorded

APRIL:

• The class will decide if it wants to move immediately into preparation for the second Presentation or if it wants to spend the second two weeks of April “teaching lessons.” For teaching lessons, small groups will pick from a wide choice of materials for each Way of Knowing and Area of Knowledge. Each week, groups will prepare short lessons on the material they chose to present to a small group. You will be provided a guideline, and creativity will be encouraged. You will have one class period to chose and prepare; there will be one-to-two class periods to present.

• Begin work on TOK Essay in late April

MAY:

• Work on Essay

 

JUNE

• Essay due on June 10th

 

 

 

I’ll be adding more fallacy commercials as I have time:

Fallacy Video – Tape

 

Video: Basic Repellent

Video: Pencil

Video: Mechanical Pencil

Script:

•Shot of the bottle, pan around
•1st Fallacy: Kanye drinks it (appeal to authority)
•Close up of the bottle
•2nd Fallacy: You need it to live (Ad bacculam
•3rd Fallacy: Buy it, it is the trend (appeal to common practice)
•4th Fallacy: Either you love it or you’re wrong (False dilemma)
•Person drinks the water and thumbs up
•Bottle flips with background music.

-End of Commercial-

Water

Video: Smelling Musty

 

Video: Studying

 

Example One

Example Two

I would love to write a letter of recommendation for you.

If you would like me to do so, please complete this form and email it to me.  The more notice the better – please give me at least two weeks:

You can download it here.

Theory Of Knowledge Schedule 2015-16

Mr. Ferlazzo’s Email Address: mrferlazzo@aol.com

Homework:

You must have a binder that is kept up to date and divided into the different Ways of Knowing and Areas of Knowledge. You should keep separate “Warm-Up” sheets for each of them, too.   I will periodically check binders.

Unfortunately, the school is short of TOK textbooks at the start of the year. Until we receive more in, we will only have one class set, plus a few extra. In light of this shortfall, here is how we will handle assigned homework reading, which is always due on a Monday:

One half of the class will be “Group A,” while the other half will be “Group B.”

On the Monday prior to the week homework is due on the following Monday, the group that is responsible for doing the reading out of the textbook for that following week will check out a book from Mr. Ferlazzo and do the following work:

Read assigned chapters. For each one, write:

1)what you think are the three most important points and why you think they are important (two sentences for each one is sufficient),

2)two short key quotes and at least a sentence explaining why you chose each one, and two questions you have.

3)In addition, you must choose one “linking question” at the end of each chapter and write an “ABC” paragraph responding to it. “A” means answer the question; “B” means back it up with at least one piece of evidence from the chapter; “C” means make a comment/connection — share an informed opinion based on what you learned from the chapter and connect it to something else you know from something you read or experienced.

Homework will be shared in class. You will work with a small group of others who have read the chapter and have twenty minutes in class to prepare a five minute presentation teaching the chapter to the class. Most of this will be done between September and January, and then the focus during the second semester will be the group presentation and essay.

The other half of the class will need to read three articles given to you by Mr. Ferlazzo. For each one, write:

1)what you think are the three most important points and why you think they are important (two sentences for each one is sufficient),

2)two short key quotes and at least a sentence explaining why you chose each one, and two questions you have.

3) In addition, you must pick one article and write a paragraph following this outline:

               * What do you think is the most important point the author is making?                 * Do you agree with him/her?

               * Why do you agree or disagree with him/her? Support your opinion with a quotation from the article and information you know from elsewhere (something else you’ve read, your experience, your observation of others, etc.)

This shortage of textbooks means that when we use the textbook in class, you may have to share one, since others might be checked-out for homework.              

Occasional assignments on TOK Class Blog (https://theoryofknowledge.edublogs.org/)

Group TOK Presentation – It will be videotaped. Substantial time in class will be provided to prepare, but outside time will also be needed. Your grade on this group presentation will be one of the two primary components of your official grade from IB. You may make two group presentations on two different topics . The one with the higher grade will count.

TOK Essay – At least one essay where substantial time in class will be provided (assuming we can get access to computer lab), but outside time will also be needed.

If you are an IB Diploma candidate or are seeking an IB TOK Certificate, you will also have to write a TOK essay in the fall of 2016 during your senior year that will be submitted to IB and will comprise the second component of your official IB grade (the Group Presentation will be the other portion).

This schedule is subject to change in consultation with the class.

SEPTEMBER:

• Introduction to TOK
• The Problem and Nature Of Knowledge, p. 3-40 — two chapters (homework due 9/14) Group A
• CAS Plan developed
• Knowledge Issues
• Allegory of the Cave
• Perception p. 88 -105 (homework due 9/28) Group B – also, everybody does the assignment on the blog titled “Why Do People Believe What They See?” by the same date.

 

OCTOBER

• Language p. 47-79 (homework due October 5th) Group A
• Reason and Logic p. 111-141 (homework due Oct. 12th) Group B
• Emotions p. 145-169 (homework due Oct. 19^th) Group A
• Imagination, Faith, Intuition & Memory (no homework)

 

NOVEMBER:

• Math p. 187-213 (homework due November 2nd) Group B
• The Arts p.328- 356 (homework due Nov. 9th) Group A
• CAS Review
• History p. 300-322 (homework due Nov. 16^th) Group B

 

DECEMBER:

• Ethics p. 363-396 (homework due Dec. 7th) Group A
• Natural Sciences p. 220-250 (homework due December 14th) Group B

 

 

JANUARY:

• Human Sciences p. 256-288 (homework due January 11th) Group A
• Religious Knowledge Systems p. 403- 431 (homework due January 18th) Group B
• Indigenous Knowledge Systems (no homework)
• TOK Presentation Planning – Decide on topic and group by January 26th. Assuming we can get access to the computer lab or laptops, you will have four class periods each week to work on it for four weeks. Your written plan will be due on February 10th.

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FEBRUARY

• You will make your presentation in early March. Presentations will be video-recorded
• CAS Review
• The class will decide if it wants to move immediately into preparation for the second Presentation or if it wants to spend the first two weeks of March “teaching lessons.”

For teaching lessons, small groups will pick from a wide choice of materials for each Way of Knowing and Area of Knowledge. Each week, groups will prepare short lessons on the material they chose to present to a small group. You will be provided a guideline, and creativity will be encouraged. You will have one class period to chose and prepare; there will be one-to-two class periods to present.

 

MARCH/APRIL:

• First two weeks of student-created lessons or immediately begin preparing second presentations.
• Begin work on TOK Essay in late April

 

 

MAY:

• Work on Essay
• Essay due on June 10th